When, in framing the Constitution, we restricted so closely
the power of government over our fellow citizens of the
militia, it was not because we supposed there would ever
be a Congress so mad as to attempt tyrannizing over the
people or militia, by the militia. The danger we meant
chiefly to provide against was, the hazarding of the national
safety by a reliance on that expensive and inefficient
force. An overweening vanity leads the fond many, each
man against the conviction of his own heart, to believe or
affect to believe, that militia can beat veteran troops in the
open field and even play of battle. This idle notion, fed by
vaunting demagogues, alarmed us for our country, when
in the course of that time and chance, which happen to all,
she should be at war with a great power.

Those, who, during the Revolutionary storm, had confidential
acquaintance with the conduct of affairs, knew
well that to rely on militia was to lean on a broken reed.
We knew, also, that to coop up in a camp those habituated
to the freedom and comforts of social life, without subjecting
them to the strict observation and severe control of
officers regularly bred, would expose them to such fell disease,
that pestilence would make more havoc than the
sword. We knew that when militia were of necessity called
out, and nothing but necessity can justify the call, mercy
as well as policy requires, that they be led immediately to
attack their foe. This gives them a tolerable chance; and
when superior in number, possessing, as they must, a correct
knowledge of the country, it is not improbable that
their efforts may be crowned with success. To that end,
nevertheless, it is proper to maintain in them a good opinion
of themselves, for despondency is not the road to victory.

But to rely on undisciplined, ill-officered men, though
each were individually as brave as Caesar, to resist the
well-directed impulse of veterans, is to act in defiance of
reason and experience. We flattered ourselves, that the
constitutional restriction on the use of militia, combined
with the just apprehension of danger to liberty from a
standing army, would force those entrusted with the conduct
of national affairs, to make seasonable provision for
a naval force. We were not ignorant of the puerile notions
entertained by some on that subject, but we hoped, alas!
we vainly hoped, that our councils would not be swayed by
chattering boys, nor become the sport of senseless declamation.